We bought an apartment - is it worth changing the locks after receiving the keys?

Names and circumstances have been changed.

Let's call the new owner Alexander. After purchasing the apartment, Alexander received four keys from the seller. The lock worked well. The door was of high quality.

The seller also did not raise any doubts. Therefore, initially Alexander did not plan to change anything at all. But then a simple question arose:

“This apartment is more than ten years old. Who could have had the key during all this time?”

Indeed, the keys could potentially ever be held by:

• previous owners;
• members of their family;
• tenants;
• builders;
• repairmen;
• cleaners;
• relatives;
• neighbors;
• property managers.

This is a completely normal history of housing exploitation.

Should you suspect the previous owner?

No. Changing the lock after purchasing a property should not be considered a matter of trust in the seller at all. This is more like changing your password after gaining access to your old account.

The new owner simply creates his own access system.

Why doesn't the number of keys transferred prove anything?

Because it is impossible to determine how many copies of a mechanical key were made over the entire life of the lock. The seller may, in complete good faith, transfer all the keys that are in his possession.

But one of the previous occupants may have made an additional copy several years ago. This is a common feature of mechanical access systems.

Do I need to replace the entire door?

No. And even the entire lock is not always needed. If the door and lock body are in good working order, a new cylinder can often be installed. This gives:

• new set of keys;
• termination of old keys;
• preservation of the existing lock body;
• no need to change the door.

Other solutions are possible in other systems.

When is it especially wise to check your locks?

For example, if:

• the apartment was previously rented out;
• the property has been used by several people for a long time;
• key history unknown;
• old lock;
• the key is no longer working perfectly;
• repairs are being carried out at the same time;
• the new owner wants to increase the level of door security.

Buying an apartment is a good time not only to change access, but also to generally check the door.